Another Stable Scan ... mostly

Jen had her most recent scan this last week.  Although the radiologist read the scan as stable, Jen's oncologist does see some increase in the contrasting region of one of the tumors.  This is a very small increase, but worth noting and tracking.  An MRI is not a perfect view inside the brain and this could be the result of many things including scarring, a greater amount of contrasting fluid that may have been used for this test, or it could mean slight tumor growth.  In any case, the amount is minimal and her doctor does not feel we should change course.  The possible growth is small enough that it would not be labeled as recurrent in any case so there are really no other options to even consider at this stage.  We may know more next scan or this may be the kind of thing that we won't have a firm idea of what is going on until after several more scans.  We also followed up with Cedars Sinai this week and their conclusion is the same. 

Jen began her 11th cycle of chemo on Wednesday night.  If the next scan is good in 4 weeks she will then begin her 12th cycle of chemo at that time.  This will most likely be her final round of chemo...for now.  Much of this is not an exact science.  Why only 12 cycles?  Why not 13 or 18 or 24?  There are no definite answers other than this is what is done.  Some patients have had more cycles of chemo, but there is no data showing any benefit to doing this.  Meanwhile, the chemo itself can have long term harmful side effects like leukemia - so staying on it indefinitely is not really an option either.  Both UCLA and Cedars feel like Jen should stop after 12 and then we will continue to follow up with scans.  It is possible that she may resume chemo at some date in the future, but this will depend on her future progress.

Novocure, the device that Jen wears on her head was just approved by the FDA this week as a treatment for initial diagnosis of glioblastoma.  Previously, it was only approved for recurrent use.  Jen, however has been on the device since the end of last December and began using the device shortly following her initial diagnosis.  We are fortunate that Jen was able to do this, since it is only now approved for this use.  This would not have happened if we didn't push for using the device.  One really does need to advocate and fight for one's own healthcare.